Tonight marks the beginning of the 2012 Olympics and though I’m not much for professional sports I sure do love some of the Olympic events and it’s pretty fun to follow along throughout the whole thing, pick out favorites, critique uniform choices, and cheer along with the gazillion other people watching all over the world! For me it’s just kind of awesome to bring the whole world together in that way, even if it is to compete.

So, I’m about to head over to my friend Anna’s house and we’re going to watch the opening ceremony and cheer for good ole’ team USA.

I may have found my new favorite book. Though, if you’re anything like me you absolutely fall in love (and obsess a little) over whatever good book you’ve just finished reading. However,I really think this may be it – my favorite book….well at least for now.

The book is “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky and let me tell you – it.is.wonderful. and to top off my new book high I just found out that they have made it in to a movie! The Premiere is in late September and it’s starring Emma Watson so I really don’t see how this could be bad. I’m not going to really tell you anything about because I’d like for you to go look in to it for yourself and hopeful fall in love too.

In addition to my new obsession book I’ve also starting reading “The Friday Night Knitting Club” and as soon as I finish that I have “Human Voices” on deck. I’d like to be reading some just-for-fun book for the rest of the year and hopefully carry the habit in to next year as well, we’ll see how it goes. Wish me luck.

I received a sewing machine for my Birthday in February, I’ve been wanting to learn how to sew for awhile but I’ve been a little bit shy about it. In the past couple weeks I decided it was time to break it out and really get down to learning how to sew. It’s been lots of fun so far (and a little bit frustrating) working on little projects throughout the week. So far I’ve made some bows, a couple of skirts, and a tote. I also purchased Elsie Larson’s e-course D.I.Y. dress-up which is adorable and has been so helpful so far.

This tote ^ was made based on the magazine tote from Elsie’s e-course. Cute.

Along with working on sewing projects this month I’ve been reading, organizing, going to a lot of zumba classes (yes, I frequent zumba classes and I love it), planning, and…..getting ready to move! Yes, Delilah and I will be moving in a little over 3 weeks to a new house with 3 new roommates and 2 cats. I’ve never lived with a cat before but I am so excited about the move, my fantastic soon-to-be roommates, decorating my new room, and everything else to come this fall! I’m feeling optimistic and looking forward to new experiences and growth. For me, change is not always welcome at first but it’s always good and it’s always challenging and that is something to welcome.

These days I’ve been sticking to simple dresses or skirts with light tanks or tee’s that are breezy since it’s been so warm out and layers seem to be a bit out of the question. I’m loving the warm weather but I also can’t wait to start wearing cardigans more often (I’m still sneaking them in here and there) and tights!

This week has been rainy, which I’m totally thankful for because previously it was like 105 degrees everyday and all of our beautiful Tennessee green was becoming brown. I’ve also been sick which is kind of a bummer but there’s been time to make lists, do a lot of thinking, and a bit of reading which has been nice. I’m setting some goals for the fall and trying to enjoy my last weeks of Summer as school is right around the corner and while I’m excited to be going back I’m a little nervous, silly I know, I’ve been in college for 3 years previous to this and I’ve always made decent grades and been well-liked by my professors but as I’m going rounding out my last two or three semesters I feel a greater need to excel since taking time off, it’s probably a good thing and hopefully I can keep up these high standards for myself over the next year. But, getting back to Summer, I’ve made up a small list of things I’d like to do over the next 6 weeks before my life is filled with a more strict routine and less chill time.

organize…everything. Get rid of clutter, downsize a little.

take a trip to IKEA.

donate clothes. I have some that I could part with and probably should part with.

take one (maybe two) more roadtrips. It just seems like a good thing to do.

develop film from the duaflex. I took photos in England with a duaflex II that belonged to my great grandmother and I can’t wait to see them!

finish two sewing projects. I’ve already finished one!

throw a couple of parties. A bonfire is certainly in order.

read two books

spend a day at lake James. It’s close to Asheville and it’s a lake that’s set up more like a beach and much cleaner than others too.

see Moonrise Kingdom. Done.

see to Rome with Love.

make a budget for the Fall. I started using the envelope system for money in the spring and I need to make some adjustments.

make a schedule for the Fall.

try 4 new recipes. Let me know if you have suggestions!

take Emma swimming. this isn’t on the list in the picture but I’ve added to that list since those photos were taken.

go to the drive in one more time!

Be Optimistic! This is a big one. I want to try my best to make the most of everything and really have a positive attitude despite some not so awesome things that have been going on.

Here are a few snapshots from some of our trip to England. It was great to be able to hang out in London and a few other English towns and cities after working in Scotland to help out Endinburgh city mission. London wasn’t exactly the way I pictured it but there were definitely some really fun moments from London – like getting to see a Damien Hirst exhibit!! (ahhhh!!!!) and spending a few hours exploring the Victoria and Albert museum and the Tate Modern museum. I was completely geeking out over the art the whole time. I just couldn’t believe that I was there with all of those famous pieces, I mean, I had taken tests and written papers on this art. I gave presentations and wrote papers on Damien Hirst during my freshman year of college. Ahhh, I’m still pumped about it!

Anyway, there aren’t any pictures of the art because you aren’t allowed to take pictures in museums but I just needed to share my excitement with you! There are however a few pretty pictures of London and Bath for you to check out. I hope you enjoy!

This last picture just melts my heart. This women was walking around feeding ducks outside of Buckingham palace. She was the absolute sweetest woman and look how precious she is! Goodness, she reminds me of my great aunt Emma and sort of looked like her too. I just love it.

If you’ve never had zucchini bread before don’t pass up this recipe thinking, vegetable bread isn’t for you. You’ll need to get the idea of bread that tastes like a vegetable out of your head and think of a spice cake instead, but like a magical, special, super moist, and delicious sweet bread or muffin…like pumpkin bread. Anyway, this bread is quite tasty.

Preheat your oven to 325 and go ahead and grease and flour two loaf pans.

Whisk together your eggs, oil, sugar, and vanilla and set the mixture aside. In a separate bowl combine the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Stir the dry mix into your egg, oil, and sugar mixture until just combined and then stir in the shredded zucchini and the nuts if you’ve decided to use them.

Pour your dough into the greased and floured loaf pans until they’re about half way full and bake in your preheated oven for about an hour.

Like the banana bread this bread is also best after you allow it to rest for a day or so and it’s incredibly delicious with sweet cream cheese spread. Just sayin’.